The Eurofighter is offering India the opportunity to acquire a new version of its Typhoon for use from a future indigenous aircraft carrier, with the first firm details of the proposal having emerged at the show.

One of six contenders battling for the Indian air force's
126-aircraft medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) deal, Eurofighter
is here touting the potential of a navalised development which has
already been studied in detail in the UK.

"If Typhoon wins MMRCA then India will have the indigenous skills to
develop a navalised version," says Paul Hopkins, BAE Systems'
vice-president business development (air) India. "This is a perfect
opportunity for the nation to add aircraft with both land and sea
capabilities."

Being shown in model form for the first time this week, the European
type would receive several new features to support its proposed life at
sea. These include a new, stronger landing gear, a modified arrestor
hook and thrust-vectoring control nozzles for its two Eurojet EJ200
turbofan engines. The latter would enable the fighter to approach the
vessel at a reduced speed without restricting pilot vision by requiring
an increased angle of attack.

Eurofighter says only localised strengthening would be required on
some fuselage sections near the landing gear, and to the EJ200.
Conformal fuel tanks could also be integrated with the airframe to
extend the strike aircraft's range.

Video footage being shown in the Eurofighter and BAE exhibit areas
includes recent simulation-based imagery of tests made using adapted
flight control software and new engine modelling. Sporting Indian navy
markings, the navalised Typhoon is depicted taking off from a deck space
similar to that aboard the ex-Russian navy aircraft carrier Admiral
Gorshkov, which is now being modified for Indian use.